Phillip Island

Overview

Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port. The island is 26 kilometres long and 9 kilometres at its widest with 97 kilometres of coastline. A 700 metre concrete bridge connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven. 

Sixty percent of the island is farmland devoted to grazing of sheep and cattle though its main industry is tourism.  The lure of the Penguin Parade is one of its biggest attractions with an estimated 1,000,000 visitors annually.  The world renowned Grand Prix circuit hosts international car and motorcycling events including the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. 

History

The traditional owners of Phillip Island are believed to belong to the Bunurong people.  In 1798, George Bass entered Western Port and returned later that same year with Mathew Flinders and landed just near Rhyll Inlet.  Soon after, in March 1801, Lieutenant James Grant made the voyage to the Island aboard The Lady Nelson to thoroughly explore the waters of Western Port, during this time he established the first simple cottage on Churchill Island and consequently the first European settlement in what is now Victoria.

The real development of the island occurred in the 1920s with the establishment of an access track to the penguin colony. Tourism was greatly stimulated with visitors accessing the island by means of the ferry service at Cowes where a number of grand guesthouses were built. Visitors tended to explore the island by horseback. The Shire of Phillip Island was declared in 1928 and the first Australian car Grand Prix was held on the island that same year. A bridge linked the island to the mainland for the first time in 1940.

Places of interest

Penguin Reserve
Grand Prix Circuit
Seal Rocks
Elevated board walk
Basalt Quarry
Bridge to mainland
Varied coastline

Accommodation

Cowes is serviced by all types of accommodation including luxury apartments, hotel, motel, caravan parks, B&Bs, private house rentals and back packers. For accommodation and other information go to www.visitbasscoast.com or phone 1300 366422.

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